Women Who Inspire: Melissa Elsner
By Stephanie Kelley
Welcome to our new segment, Women Who Inspire! This segment will help to honor and recognize women in a variety of Christian ministries. The women you will meet have dedicated much of their lives to serving others and serving Christ.
The first woman we are featuring is near and dear to my heart. Melissa is a woman whose walk with the Lord has unfolded before my eyes. She is wildly talented in music and other creative aspects, but she is also gifted with an amazing ability to integrate women from different ages and backgrounds into a single family of God. She uses her talents to help others, not only find God, but to find each other. Her extroverted personality draws many to her and she is quick to make sure that others feel connected and loved. It’s exciting to see how Melissa’s ministry extends beyond her formalized women’s ministry at Christ the King, Ferndale (CTK- Ferndale, WA), into her own personal journey. Plus she is a gifted author and public speaker.
Below is an interview with Melissa. I believe you will grow to love her as much those she ministers to and with daily have.
Stephanie Kelley: Summarize your journey with Christ — from the time you accepted Christ, to how you started in ministry (a brief testimony).
Melissa Elsner: I grew up going to church. It was always part of my normal however, I didn’t truly give my heart to Jesus until I was in my early 20’s. After living in the big city for a few months and partying pretty hard, I had a vulnerable moment that God took advantage of. Giving my life to Christ didn’t mean I completely gave up my lifestyle though; it would still be a couple of years of wrestling and resisting until I fully surrendered. From that point on, God surrounded me with people who would continually point me towards Him, encourage me and hold me accountable.
Over the years, God would do some hefty work on my soul by taking me through counseling, challenging me with my comfort zone by going on mission trips and living overseas, stepping out in roles I never would have imagined myself in and living a life of purposeful faith.
There is so much in between that I would love to share with someone over coffee but, that isn’t possible in a short blurb like this so, I will fast forward to five years ago; leading up to now. I had an opportunity to trust the Holy Spirit prompting me or to curl up in my ball of comfort. I chose to leap and thus began my current role at my church as Women’s Ministry Director. Every day is an opportunity for God to continue molding me and shaping me into who He has designed me to be and I constantly give Him the credit for all that He has done in and through me.
SK: Tell us about a time that God directly answered a prayer.
ME: Goodness! Well, I believe God answers all prayers, it’s just our perspective that determines if it’s what we want to hear or not. If He says no, it’s an answer. If He says yes, it’s an answer. If He says not yet, it’s an answer. But, I think what we’re going for here is a yes! So, the time I love to share is when I moved to Chicago. It was a dream of mine that I prayed for. I had the plan all set out for when it could possibly happen while still keeping my hands open – mostly in a posture that would accept God’s “no”. However, He responded with a resounding yes that would have me moving much, much sooner than I had planned; with every single minute detail taken care of. There wasn’t time to have any fear or worry in the process. Looking back at that blip of my life now, I can say that was a fun faith-building adventure! I have since moved back to my Pacific Northwest roots and am so thankful for the YES that God gave me in that journey.
SK: Tell us about a time you had a measurable impact on someone through your personal ministry or through your organized ministry.
ME: I have read this statement a few times and each time I get a little squirmy. The reason is because I want to be careful to not elevate myself because the ministry I do is not my own – it belongs entirely to God. He guides and directs it completely. So, any work or impact that happens out of my leadership or obedience, is entirely Him! With that said, it does take action on my part because there are opportunities that come up and the outcome can depend on my obedience. I can recall walking through some heavy stuff with a lady in our church. She had experienced significant loss and I made myself available to listen and to pray for her. Several months ago she got baptized and, it was spontaneous. During the service, I felt her hands on my shoulder and she whispered in my ear that it was time. I had never gotten up so fast, taken off my shoes and jumped in tank with her. It was wonderful and amazing to see where she had been when I first met her to where she is now. I am thankful and humbled that God has brought us together.
SK: What are some of the biggest challenges facing women today — and women ministries?
ME: We have come a long way when it comes to women in the church and ministry. I am so thankful to be part of a church that celebrates women and encourages women in leadership. One thing I make a goal of is to try to take the stigma out when it comes to women’s ministry. Every interaction, event and such is saturated in authenticity, vulnerability and God’s love. I think it’s so important that every woman feel welcome whether they are married or not; have children or not; are widowed, divorced, single or struggling with something like addiction.
One challenge, in particular, is connecting generations. I love what I heard not long ago about how the next generation is our ceiling and not the other way around. We need to lift them up and prepare them because we aren’t going to be here forever. In order for that to be successful, the older generation needs to feel they are valued and needed. The younger women need their guidance and wisdom and it is important that each generation feels valued. Sometimes I still hear phrases like, “Oh I am too old for that” or “I’m too young” and, it hurts my heart! I love how Titus 2 paints a beautiful picture of how mentoring should look.
SK: What inspires you?
ME: Stories. I love hearing stories of others walk with God. When I hear about how they came to Christ and all the ways He restored, redeemed and rescued, it gets me excited. I also love nature and getting outside. God speaks to me when I am walking in His creation and through musical worship.
SK: What do you do when life feels overwhelming?
ME: I run to my piano and worship and then I write or pray. And, being the extrovert that I am, I usually gather up some people to do life with so that it isn’t lonely. We were created to be relational and I just love that! I’m so thankful for the people God has strategically placed in my life to walk this road with. I also have an essential oil blend I love to diffuse that is amazing. So thankful for God’s gift from the earth!
SK: Best piece of advice you’ve ever received.
ME: Keep the main thing the main thing! When Jesus is the main thing, everything else will fall into place. The minute I let my insecurities, need for affirmation, doubt, worry, etc, get in the way, it all crumbles. It’s not about me or what I can do.
A brief bio:
Melissa Elsner is a pacific northwest native who loves coffee, Jesus, the water and mountains, tacos and sappy movies. She is a Program Coordinator at an early learning center, Women’s Ministry Director at her church, Wellness Advocate for doTERRA essential oils and is a published author and speaker.
You can visit her at: www.theprofoundbrunette.com
